With eight buttons and two joysticks, its design seems to be based slightly on the Nintendo 64 controller, but has noticeably more controls and a new and improved wing grip design. The standard GameCube controller was usually a purplish-bluish, but character and game-themed controllers were also released, such as Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Super Smash Bros. Melee styled controllers.

This controller was bundled with all new GameCube systems throughout the console's life cycle and was also available separately.